🔗 Share this article

The beluga known as Jelly Bean’s daughter Bertie is an adorable small “playful character”. Orion – called “Onion” – is a big but guardian-like companion. Another whale, Zephyr has “constant motion” and wiggles like a wiggly creature. Lillooet the beluga is the “loving presence” with a gentle spirit.

Thirty captive marine mammals in a Canadian entertainment facility have been caught in a disagreement between a closed attraction, public officials and animal rights activists.

But those most familiar with the whales say the impassioned debate over their fate often overlooks the individual traits of the whales who, after living their entire lives in captivity, have been thoroughly researched by the humans who work with them regularly.

After the Canadian government prevented the export of the belugas to a foreign facility, the controversial attraction near Niagara Falls where they are kept stated it would consider to put them down unless the authorities funds the expense of their survival. The nation’s marine resources official has refused that ultimatum, placing the thirty whales in an increasingly precarious situation.

Intelligent Marine Mammals

Experts say that beluga whales’ neural makeup, along with their mimicry abilities, intellectual tasks and social skills indicate they are highly cognitive animals – something Kristy Burgess discovered first-hand.

Burgess spent a significant period as a whale caretaker, a position that required gaining confidence of the marine predators.

“Establishing those bonds over time takes a lot of dedication and a lot of affection. At the beginning, they’re very cautious of you,” she said. “Over time, you gain reciprocal understanding. And they start being more vulnerable with you. It’s just so extraordinary and fulfilling.”

The trainer knew the whales were highly intelligent, but she says she was nonetheless astounded by the nuances and unique traits in their personalities. She developed a special affection for a pair of whales with contrasting temperaments.

“Eve selected me. The other demanded work,” she said. “Both altered the way I understand connection.”

Growing Opposition and Facility Decline

Burgess’s relationship with the whales progressed against a backdrop of growing public opposition to their enclosure.

During her time at the facility, multiple belugas and the park’s single orca, Kiska, died. In all, 19 belugas have died at the park since recent years, a toll which the facility links to expected lifespan, but which campaigners say reflects the inadequate care in which they were housed.

The facility did not admit visitors to the guests over the recent season, but the former trainer says she observed directly results of the closure. “Structural materials is deteriorating from the pools because they’re degrading and not being repaired. The whales are inquisitive and so they pick it up and swim around with chunks in their mouth. It’s upsetting to see.”

The facility did not comment to a request for comment, but previously claimed: “The whales … get far better medical attention and around the clock supervision than any individual in the United Kingdom, or anywhere else.”

Fate in Limbo and Potential Resolutions

The former employee was dismissed from the park in early March following the demise of a beluga, an unwell beluga the park staff had to humanely kill. She said the park suspected information of the incident were disclosed to the news outlets and she was fired shortly thereafter.

The ambiguity over the whales’ future has left Burgess and other caretakers in anguish. She says the park’s threat to euthanize its whales is a leverage tool and is a “practically unfeasible” task, adding any plans to humanely kill even a individual beluga would require “considerable staff”, trucks and heavy equipment.

“There’s no way in hell the employees would ever do it,” she said.

She advocates for demands for the whales to be transferred promptly from the park, with its deteriorating pools and reduced personnel.

In the autumn, Canada’s government official turned down a bid to export the whales to an overseas location.

“Granting the application would have meant a perpetual situation in captivity and a return to display for amusement,” the official wrote. “As Canadians, we know that belugas should be in the ocean, not in tanks for our enjoyment. I could not in good conscience approve an export that would perpetuate the conditions these belugas have endured.”

But the former trainer said the official’s statements reveal a broader incorrect perception of the circumstances of life for belugas raised in confinement.

“The public needs to understand these are whales that have spent their whole lives in captivity and they will need ongoing assistance for the rest of their years,” she said. “The public just don’t comprehend that it’s not as simple as saying ‘shut it down’.”

Sanctuary Proposal and Continuing Discussion

As authorities struggle to find a solution, proposals have been put forward, some of which have little basis in reality. An idea called for the belugas to be released into the open waters of the Arctic – where whales are a primary resource of sustenance for local populations.

A planned refuge in the region of Nova Scotia, which now received government approval, has proven most controversial. The prospective location, which includes a large area of penned in ocean, is not yet built. Proponents remain hopeful that it could eventually represent a sustainable resolution for eight of the whales.

But, Burgess says, among trainers she’s consulted, there is “skepticism there” about what she said is “only an untested concept” in the whales’ well-being.

Some experts say the prospect of a refuge reflects a worldwide trend away from animal displays and could represent a viable solution in the coming months.

Charles Vinick, director of the plan, said the facility will mimic the mental engagement and nutrition the whales obtain from caretakers, albeit in a significantly bigger area. He said after the health of whales is fully assessed, which could take months|an extended period|